[ he knows!! but how else will he lead hijikata down the path of death and gloom if he doesn't dip into the spoilers... gosh, he needs to make him feel as if he's lost everything? that way, he'll be more easily convinced to do bad things! ]

They could be, or they could not be.

[ tsurumaru's response is left intentionally vague, allowing hijikata to think about it for himself, because if tsuru's lucky enough, hijikata just might start despairing? but his reasons behind this aren't malicious at all, or so he thinks, in his warped mindset — there's nothing better than wanting to be with your comrades; even if they're dead, there's always a way. always, even if it's probably wrong. ]

But what if they were all dead, you know? Being alive while your comrades are all gone is... pretty tragic, and I don't think you should have to suffer any of that.